The venue, promoter and ticket seller behind Childish Gambino‘s Listen Out sideshow in Newcastle last night have each issued statements blaming the rapper for “disappointing” fans and not delivering what was expected.
Posting to Facebook, The Cambridge Hotel says it is as disappointed as the fans who attended Gambino’s Newcastle show, which sold out in a flash after being announced.
“We had the opportunity to present Childish Gambino to Newcastle in an intimate gig and we jumped at the chance as we aim to bring the best possible acts to Newcastle for music lovers. As seen last night, unfortunately we have no control over the acts performance once on stage,” The Cambridge Hotel says.
“For those that aren’t aware, Canberra and ourselves were 2 additional Childish Gambino shows that were promoted in the exact same way as part of his current tour and we were extremely excited to be presented with this opportunity. Subsequently he didn’t deliver on what was billed and expected by everyone, including us.
“Like you, we were equally excited to present the act and its only matched by the disappointment in the performance by the act.” Read the venue’s full statement, below.
In a separate statement, the show’s promoter, Big Apachee, and ticket seller BigTix, say they are “incredibly disappointed in the outcome of last night’s show”.
“We all worked very hard in booking a great act for a great venue and unfortunately the act did not deliver on what was billed.
“We were very excited to bring such a great act to Newcastle and it is unfortunate that we cannot control the acts performance once on stage.”
A number of people who attended Gambino’s Newcastle show are requesting refunds, with some calling the brief performance “unprofessional” and “very disappointing”.
Gambino is yet to publicly comment on his Newcastle show.
UPDATE 02/10/15 12:35pm AEST: As the Newcastle Herald reports, Cambridge Hotel licencee Dru Russell says the venue is in discussions with promoter Big Apachee, and will contact ticket holders directly. That said, the groups are still trying to find a resolution regarding possible refunds.
UPDATE 04/10/15: Ticket holders who attended Childish Gambino’s Newcastle Listen Out sideshow have been offered free admission to the festival’s Sydney leg. Gambino’s management have also issued an apology.
The Cambridge Hotel Statement Regarding Childish Gambino Performance (Via Facebook)
To everyone who came to see Childish Gambino show last night we are as disappointed as all of you.
We had the opportunity to present Childish Gambino to Newcastle in an intimate gig and we jumped at the chance as we aim to bring the best possible acts to Newcastle for music lovers. As seen last night, unfortunately we have no control over the acts performance once on stage.
For those that aren’t aware, Canberra and ourselves were 2 additional Childish Gambino shows that were promoted in the exact same way as part of his current tour and we were extremely excited to be presented with this opportunity. Subsequently he didn’t deliver on what was billed and expected by everyone, including us.
The Cambridge strives to deliver Newcastle the highest quality live music possible and we will continue to do so.
Like you, we were equally excited to present the act and its only matched by the disappointment in the performance by the act.
Big Apachee & BigTix Statement Regarding Childish Gambino Performance (Via Facebook)
Big Apachee, Bigtix and The Cambridge Hotel are all incredibly disappointed in the outcome of last nights show. We all worked very hard in booking a great act for a great venue and unfortunately the act did not deliver on what was billed.
We were very excited to bring such a great act to Newcastle and it is unfortunate that we cannot control the acts performance once on stage.
